Ophthalmic Device Alignment Mechanism for Flare Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic devices require time and increase manufacturing cost to suppress flare generation when measuring blood flow information using OCT, as they need to detect misalignment in the xy direction and calculate alignment in the z direction, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic device with a photographing unit, first and second alignment units, and an optical system movement unit that moves the examination optical system from a first aligned position to a second position deviated in the perpendicular direction, allowing for quick determination of alignment in the optical axis direction based on positional differences, and an adjustment control unit to maintain constant optical path length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the ophthalmic device detects misalignment in the xy direction and calculates alignment in the z direction using high-performance computation processing, then the alignment precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex computational processing with a mechanical/optical solution. The photographing unit captures images of the subject eye, and the alignment determination unit calculates alignment based on image processing rather than high-performance computation. This substitution reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining alignment precision by using standard processing capabilities instead of expensive high-performance computers.
2Measurement precision
If the ophthalmic device detects misalignment in the xy direction and calculates alignment in the z direction, then the alignment precision is improved, but the examination time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary alignment in the xy direction using the photographing unit before proceeding to z-direction alignment calculation. By pre-positioning the optical system based on captured images, the device reduces the time required for subsequent alignment operations. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming iterative adjustments while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming high-performance computation with efficient image processing algorithms that can be executed on standard processors. This substitution significantly reduces calculation time while maintaining alignment precision, thereby decreasing overall examination time without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical axis of the examination optical system is deviated from the reference position of the subject eye, then blood flow information measurement is enabled, but flare generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control where the alignment determination unit continuously monitors the alignment state based on images from the photographing unit. The system calculates the optimal z-direction alignment position based on the deviated optical axis position and automatically adjusts to maintain proper alignment. This feedback mechanism enables blood flow measurement with a deviated optical axis while suppressing flare generation through real-time alignment correction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device can determine alignment positions more quickly and cost-effectively, reducing flare generation during blood flow information measurement without the need for high-performance computation processing.
Implementation Method 1
since the velocity of the fundus oculi blood flow is calculated using a technique of Doppler shift OCT
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an ophthalmic device capable of minimizing the generation of flare at a lower cost and in a shorter time than in the prior arts when photographing in a state where an optical axis of an examination optical system is deviated from a reference position of a subject eye. The ophthalmic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a photographing unit that images a region to be observed of the subject eye through the examination optical system, a first alignment unit that performs alignment on the examination optical system with respect to the subject eye in the optical axis direction and the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, an optical system movement unit that moves the examination optical system from a first position aligned by the first alignment unit to a second position which is deviated from the first position at least in the perpendicular direction, and a second alignment unit that determines an alignment position in the optical axis direction of the examination optical system with respect to the subject eye at the second position based on the positional difference between the first position and the second position and moves the examination optical system to the alignment position along the optical axis direction.